When I began as Operations and Facilities Manager at the museum back in September 2020, I was excited to learn more about the museum and its characterful buildings – challenges and all. Something I was not expecting to happen from day one was to find myself investigating roofs! After conversations with City Council and their chosen contractor to repair the roof on the Museum’s main building, the White Horse Inn, I learnt a bit more about roofs. It seemed there were some problems with the roof on the Enid Porter Building and it was important I worked with others to repair this and ensure the collections store, community space, and staff and volunteer spaces were secure and safe.
After speaking to various roofing companies and the building’s architect, we identified the problems and worked out what needed to be repaired. We identified three sections of roof. A few members of our Trustee board and advisory group suggested the Museum apply for a grant from Amey Community Fund. The Amey Community Fund awards grants to support community, environmental and heritage projects run by non-profit organisations based in Cambridgeshire, within 10 miles of a landfill site. We fit the bill!
After successfully passing each stage of the application process, we were notified that we were successful in receiving the grant and could get started on the roof repairs to secure our building, collection, and community work for the future. We engaged local roofing specialists, Tanner and Hall, to take charge of this project. After 4 weeks, they have now completed the project and the new sections of roof look incredibly slick with their new slates.
I hope to continue to monitor our buildings and ensure that our collections are preserved for the future, that we can continue our community work, and open up for commercial hire. I am excited to see what the future holds now we are under a safe and secure roof.
Many thanks to Amey Community fund for their incredible support in helping the museum continue to serve the community.
The post was written by Maddie C., Operations and Facilities Manager
